Paper-making machine.



PATENTED I KITSEE.

PAPER MAKING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED JULY 13, 1902.

' no MODEL.

APR. 14, 1903.

I a l l III/II/I/l/IA UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

ISIDOR KITSEE, OF PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA,,ASSIGNOR OF ONE- HALF TO CHARLES L. HAMILTON, OF PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA.

PAPER-MAKING. MACHINE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent N 0. 725,345, dated April 14, 1903.

Application filed July 16, 1902. Serial No. 115,819- (No model.)

cial reference to an improvement in what is technically called in such machines the wire, and which in reality is an endless necessary sheets.

art it is well known that the meshes of this wire or screen frequently become clogged up with the minute particles of fiber due to the shaking of the pulp on its surface. This cloggedup wire requires a cleaning every second or third day, and this cleaning is generally accomplished by a generous bath of sulfuric acid, often accompanied by scrubbing with brushes. Two great disadvantages arise therefromfirst, the loss of time, because the machine generally has to stop for this cleaning; second, the application of sulfuric acid, mostly undiluted or at a ratio of two to one, greatly weakens the thin wire, and therefore shortens the life of the same to an extent that in such mills where a fine mesh is employed this wire has to be renewed about every thirty days, or about every sixty days in mills employing a coarser mesh fora cheaper quality of paper.- It is true that this endlessband could be perfectly cleaned if taken 011'; but to persons employed in papermills it is also well known that the band once removed can hardly be replaced Without detrimental efiect to the production of sheets thereon, for the reason that it is well nigh impossible to entirely obviate the crimping of this band in the act of replacing. The cleaning of this wire has therefore to be done while the band is in position.

It is the aim of my invention to overcome the difficulties above referred to and to prolong the life of the wire by the process, as

To persons versed in thediagrammatic view of the traveling screen and rollers over which'the same runs, showing the electrolytic cell in section and also means for raising and lowering said cell. Fig. 2 is a plan View of the electrolytic cell and a portion of the screen traveling through the same. Fig. 3 is a vertical sectional view through a portion of the screen and the feltcovered roller and also the reservoir containing the electrolytic solution adapted to be delivered upon the roller in a spray or sheet.

A represents the traveling screen. B represents the breastqollers over which the same runs.

0 represents guide-rollers.

D is an electrolytic cell.

E is a roller under which the screen runs, so as to cause the same to dip into the solution in the cell. V

F represents vertical screw-threaded rods, threaded in the sleeves F, secured to the bot tom of the electrolyic cell.

' G is a worm adapted to be turned either by hand or by power and meshing with the wormwheel G, secured to the screw-threaded rod F. Thus by turning the screw-threaded rod in one direction the cell is raised and in the opposite direction the cell is lowered, so as to remove the screen from the electrolytic solution.

H is a battery or other source of electric power, one terminal of which is connected to the electrolytic cell and the other terminal of which is connected to the screen through a roller-brush or other means.

In Fig. 8, I represents a metallic roller mounted in vertical sliding bearings. J is a felt or other absorbent covering surrounding said 'roller and adapted to be brought in contact with the screen when in its operative position. K is a reservoir located above the roller, which is connected with a header L, extending the full length of the roller, and this header is provided with a narrow orifice L along its lower edge for allowing a thin The electrolytic cell D consists of the containing vessel D. This containing vessel is preferably of conducting material, and its inner surface should be of such a shape as to conform to the contour of the screen going through the electrolyte D In this case the vessel D can be used as the anode, and can, therefore, as illustrated in the drawings, be connected directly to the positive pole of the charging-circuit, the screen itself forming the cathode, and connected, therefore, either directly or, as illustrated in the drawings, through the conducting breast-roller B to the negative pole of the charging-circuit. The electrolytic cell, as illustrated in Fig. 3, consists of the conductingroller I, forming the anode of the cell, the covering of which should be porous enough so as to absorb the electrolyte K, the cathode being formed by the screen A.

The modus operandi of my invention, as illustrated in Fig. 1, is as follows: The containing vessel D is filled with a suitable electrolyte. If it is only the desire to clean the screen from 't he minute fibers adhering thereto and partially clogging the meshes, then the electrolyte may consist of diluted sulfuric acid at the ratio of about fifteen to one, or in such cases where even this diluted acid is of disadvantage then the electrolyte may consist of an alkalisuch, for instance, as a hydrate of sodium or potassium or, as it is commonly called, caustic soda or caustic potash. In my experiments I have used as an electrolyte solutions of the salts of aluminium, calcium, and, in fact, of all the alkaline metals and found that where it is not desired the metal radical should be deposited on the screen only the potassium and sodium salts are well adapted for the purpose, for the reason that if an aluminium or calcium salt is used the hydrated radical deposited on the cathode is not quickly enough dissolved, and therefore the screen becomes clogged up with the salts of these metals. Of the acid solutions sulfuric, nitric, and hydrochloric acids are best adapted for the cleaning process, and oxalic acid also serves the purpose well. I have had good results with an electrolyte consisting of chlorinated water, and as a substitute therefor a weak solution of chlorid of sodium (common table salt) is well adapted for the cleaning process, and in my experiments I have cleaned pieces of screen with an electrolyte consisting of one ounce of salt to one quart of water. The only drawback in the employment of this solution consists in the generation of chlorin.

I have above referred to the destruction of the screen through the cleaning-acid used today; but the screen is also weakened through the incessant friction caused by its constant revolution in contact with the different rollers, the pressure of the suction device, and the pulp on its surface. The screens are today made of copper or brass, and the individual wires are of such a fineness and pliability that even the friction exerted by the rollers greatly weakens the same, and it may be said that through each revolution-speedy as they have to be--the surface of this wire becomes slightly worn off. In such mills where the speed is very great or where through abrasion the wire is greatly weakened it is advantageous that this continuous destruction should be met or equalized through a continuous replacement. In other words, in places where the wire continually loses metal it is profitable to replace this metal, and this replacement can best be accomplished through the process of electrodeposition.

I have in the description of the drawings made mention that the receptacle containing the electrolyte may consist of a conducting material, and in such cases wherein the deposition of the metal is required in conjunction with the cleaning of the screen then the containing vessel shall consist or be lined with the metal desiredto be deposited, and the electrolyte should consist of a solution wherein such metal is dissolved; but in some cases it may be more advantageous that the anode should be separate from the containing vessel, as thereby the same can be easily replaced. In this case, as it is obvious, the charging-circuit should be connected to this anode and not to the containing vessel itself.

Having placed the containing vessel, with its electrolyte, in the necessary position, so that that part of the screen which goes under the roller E dips into the solution, and having connected the anode with the positive pole of thecharging-circuit and having connected the screen either directly or through the intervention of one of the conductingrollers to the negative pole of the chargingcircuit, the screen is then slowly revolved in a manner well known to persons versed in the art. Through this act of revolving there will be broughtin contact with the electrolyte successively successive parts of the screen in a manner so that through each revolution of the whole screen each part of said screen passes through said solution and becomes thereby the active cathode of the electrolytic cell, and if the solution or electrolyte consists only of what I call cleaning solution --that is, one of the acid nous or caustic liquids--then the screen will be cleaned more or less according to the amount of current flowing and the speed of the screen itself, and if the electrolyte consists of whatIcall a cleaning and depositing solution that is, the electrolyte into which a salt of the metal to be deposited is dissolved-then through the revolving ofthe screen there Will be successively successive parts of said screen not only cleaned, but they will also be reinforced through the slight deposition of the metal dissolved .in the electrolyte. In all these cases it is a sine qua non that the cleaning and depositing shall be done in a manner so that it is unnecessary to remove the screen from the machine.

ICC

as illustrated in Fig. 3. In both cases the action of the electric current is to cause the ion to travel from one pole to the-otherthat is, from the anode to the cathode.

In such cases where the cleaning or electrodeposition is accomplished at one and the same time, as the screen travels at the usual speed-that is, from three to five hundred feet per minute-then it is advantageous to provide the containing vessel of the electrolytic cell as illustrated in Fig. 1 with a device so as to prevent the carrying over of the liquid due to the speed of the screen.

I have illustrated my invention as being applied to a Fonrdrinier machine; but it is'obvious that this my invention is applicable also to such machines wherein the screen is wound around the drum, and, in fact, this my invention is applicable also to what is technically called dandy-rollers or like parts wherein screens or perforated sheets are employed.

I have not illustrated the mannerin which the screen may be freed from the electrolytic moisture adhering to the same, becauseflthis freeing of the screen can be accomplished in the same manner as the freeing of the screen from the acid is accom plishedto-daythrough a thorough douching with water.

Having now described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is T 1. The method of removing particles of fiber from a paper-machine screen, which consists in making said screen the cathode of an electrolytic cell and carrying successively successive parts of said screen throughthe electrolyte of said cell.

2. The method of cleansing the screen used in paper-machines which consistsi'ncarrying successively successive parts of said screen through an electrolytic cell, making said parts the cathode of said cell.

3. The method of cleansing an endless conducting-band consisting of wire screen which consists in electrically connecting said band with the negative pole of a charging-circuit, revolving said band in a manner so that part of said band dips into an electrolyte contained in a vessel provided with a conductor connected with the positive pole of said chargingcircuit.

4. The method ofcleansing an endless band of wire screen which consists in bringing in contact successively successive parts of said band with the moisture serving as an electrolyte in an electrolytic cell, the charging-circuit of which is connected with its negative pole to said endless band and with its positive pole to a conductor also contacting with said moisture. Y

5; The method of cleansing the wire or screen of a paper-machine which consists in making said screen the cathode of an electroly t ic cell andrevolving said screen in operative relation to said cell. I

6; The method of cleansing and reinforcingthe wire or screen of a paper-machine which consists in connectingthe wire or screen electrically with the negative pole of acharging circuit, and connecting the positive pole of said charging-circuitwitha metal designed to be deposited on said wire or screen; said metal contained in a receptacle containing as an electrolyte a solution of the salt of the metal to be deposited and causing successively suc cessive parts of said screen to dip into said electrolyte.

7. The method of cleansing and reinforcing the wire or screen of a paper-machine, op-

eratively placed thereon, which consists'in causing, during the revolution of said wire or screen, parts of i said wire to dip into the electrolyte of an electrolytic cell containing in solution asalt of the metal to be deposited, said wire or screen connected electrically to the negative pole'of-a charging-- of an electrylytic cell, the second conductor of which is connectedto the positive pole of said charging-circuit.

9. The method of cleansing and reinforcing an endless band consisting of wire gauze which consists in carrying successively successive parts of said endless band into operative relation to an electrolytic cell adapted to cleanse and deposit the metal designed to reinforce, the endless band being made-the cathode of said electrolytic cell.

10. Ina machine, the method of cleansing and reinforcing parts operatively connectedto said machine, said method consisting therein that successively su ccessive parts of said parts ofthe machine are brought into operative relation to an electrolytic cell during the period that said parts are made the cathode of said ed-to said machine, said parts are made the cathode of an electrolytic cell and carried through their operative relation to said machine into operative relation to the fluid of said cell, thereby removing the matter deposited thereon.

12. The method of cleansing and reinforcing parts of a machine which consists therein that said parts are made the cathode of an electrolytic cell during the time that said parts are operatively connected with said machine, and that parts of said parts are through their operative relation to said machine brought into contact with the electrolyte of said cell, said cell adapted to cleanse said parts and to deposit thereon the metal required for reinforcing.

13. The method which consists in cleansing the wire or screen of a paper-machine from the particles of fiber adhering thereto by bringing successively successive parts of said wire or screen into operative relation to an electrolytic cell,the cathode of which is formed through said successive parts.

14. The method of cleansingparts of a paper-machine of the fiber accumulated on the surface thereof, which consists in making said parts an electrode in an electrolytic cell, and sending at the same time currents of electricity through said cell.

15. In the art of cleansing parts of a papermachine of the fiber adherent thereto, the process which consists in removing the adherent fiber with the aid of electric currents passing through an electrolytic cell of which the parts to be cleansed form a part.

,In testimony whereof I hereby sign my name, in the presence of two subscribing witnesses, this 28th day of June, A. D. 1902.

ISIDOR KITSEE.

Witnesses:

EDITH R. STILLEY, CHAS. KRESSENBUCH. 

